One of many explorers looking for a Northwest Passage to the Orient,
Sir Martin Frobisher was one of the first English explorers to sail
the northeast North American coast.

Frobisher's travels
began in the 1550s, when he explored Africa's northwest coast. A navigator
by trade and an adventurer by nature, Frobisher gained a reputation
for preying on French trading vessels in the waters off Guinea. He was
arrested several times during the 1560s on piracy charges, but managed
to avoid trial.

In 1576, Frobisher
became commander of three small ships and set sail for North America
in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. During his first trip, he
reached Labrador and Baffin Island and sailed through the bay that now
bears his name. Frobisher sensed North America was a land rich in gold,
and his tales of treasure earned him royal backing for his next two
voyages in 1577 and 1578. On those voyages, Frobisher attempted to start
at least one ill-fated settlement, but spent most of his time looking
for precious metals. When he returned empty-handed after a third try,
Frobisher lost his financial backing.

Frobisher returned
to the seas in 1585 as vice admiral for Sir Francis Drake's voyage to
the West Indies. Three years later, he fought for the English against
the Spanish Armada and was knighted for his efforts. For the next six
years, Frobisher headed up several different English squadrons, including
one that attempted to intercept Spanish treasure ships in the Azores.
During a similar scuffle with Spanish forces in 1594, Frobisher was
mortally wounded in battle and died at sea.